Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 23, 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to the River Ganga

1. It originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
2. The Ganges River Dolphin is an endangered animal that specifically habitats this river.
3. The Ganga basin outspreads in India and Bangladesh only.
4. The Yamuna and The Ramganga are some of its left-bank tributaries.

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four

Show solution

Solution: option B.)

Ans. 1 Option B is correct Explanation
• River Ganga is the longest river in India and is revered by Hindus as the most sacred river on earth.
• It originates in the snowfields of the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The Ganga basin outspreads in India, Tibet (China), Nepal, and Bangladesh over an area of 10,86,000 sq. km. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• Drainage Basin: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Haryana,
Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Union territory of Delhi drains nearly 26% of the total geographical area of the country.
• Right Tributaries: The Yamuna and the Son
• Left tributaries: The Ramganga, the Ghaghra, the Gandak, the Kosi, and the Mahananda. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
• Sub Tributaries: The Chambal and the Betwa
• The Ganges River Dolphin is an endangered animal that specifically habitats this river. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Ganga widens out into the Ganges Delta in the Sundarbans swamp of Bangladesh before it ends its journey by emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

Q2. Mandhata Islands, seen in the news recently, belong to
A. Arabian Sea
B. Bay of Bengal
C. Riverine island in Narmada river
D. Riverine island in kaveri river

Show solution

Solution: option C.)

Ans. 2 Option C is correct Explanation Mandhata island- an important religious destination?
• The Mandhata island, nestled on the Narmada River. Hence option A is correct.
• It is home to two of the 12 Jyotirlingas – Omkareshwara (located on the south side of the island) and Amareshwara.
• The area is close to Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga at Ujjain, located 110 km to the northwest.
• The name ‘Omkareshwar’ is derived from the shape of the island, which resembles the sacred syllable ‘Om’, and its name means ‘the Lord of Omkara’.

Q3. Which of the following statements reflects the primary objective of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana?

A. Providing housing loans to poor people at cheaper interest rates.
B. Promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas
C. Promoting financial inclusion in the country
D. Providing financial help to marginalized communities

Show solution

Solution: option C.)

Ans. 3 Option C is the correct Explanation
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is the National Mission for Financial Inclusion established in the year 2014.
• It ensures access to financial services namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, and Pension in an affordable manner.
• It has been the foundation stone for people-centric economic initiatives.
• Objectives
o Ensure access to financial products & services at an affordable cost.
o Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach.

Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the USTAAD Scheme

1. It is a scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the welfare of minorities by upgrading their skills and training I Traditional Arts/Crafts.
2. HunarHaat is organized under this Scheme to promote and preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Show solution

Solution: option C.)

Ans. 4 Option C is the correct Explanation
• The USTAAD Scheme is a scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs since 2015. Hence Statement 1 is correct
• Objective
o Welfare of minorities by upgrading the skills and training in Traditional Arts/Crafts
o To preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities.
• HunarHaat is also being organized under this Scheme from 2016-17
o Purpose: To further promote traditional crafts/arts, employment generation, and strengthen their market linkages. Hence Statement 2 is correct
o These market linkages will also be extended to global markets.
o It is an effective platform wherein the opportunity is given to showcase and market handmade, rare, exquisite
indigenous products.

Q5. Consider the following statements with reference to the Siliguri Corridor:

1. It serves as a natural buffer zone between the Himalayan Mountain range and the neighboring countries of Nepal
and Bhutan.
2. All land trade between the North East and the rest of the country happens through this corridor.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Show solution

Solution: option B.)

Ans. 5 Option B is correct Explanation:
• Siliguri Corridor or Chicken’s Neck, is a narrow stretch of land located in West Bengal, that connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of India. It is located between Nepal and Bhutan to the north and Bangladesh to the south. Hence Statement 1 is Incorrect.
• All land trade between the North East and the rest of the country happens through this corridor. Hence Statement 2 is correct.

Q6. Consider the following statements with reference to Global South

1. It primarily consists of lower-income countries located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
2. These nations have a history of imperialism and colonial rule.
3. These countries have been designated as the industrialized nations.

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None

Show solution

Solution: option A.)

Ans. 6 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Global South refers to countries often characterized as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped, primarily located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• These nations typically experience higher levels of poverty, income inequality, and challenging living conditions compared to the global North.
• Geopolitically, these nations have a history of imperialism and colonial rule.
• Many of these countries are in the process of industrialization and have been described as newly industrialized.
• Prominent Countries including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, are known for their large populations and economies.

Q7. Consider the following statements about the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982):

1. It is an international agreement that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities in the
high seas.
2. The United Nations General Assembly developed an international legally binding instrument under UNCLOS on the
conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction

Which one of the following statements is correct?
A. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
B. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
C. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct
The Explanation for Statement I
D. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I

Show solution

Solution: option B.)

Ans. 7 Option B is correct Explanation
• Adopted in 1982, it is also called the Law of the Sea Convention
• It is an international agreement that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities.
• As of June 2016, 167 countries and the European Union are parties.
• It divides marine areas into five main zones namely- Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the High Seas. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• The United Nations General Assembly developed an international legally binding instrument under UNCLOS on the
conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Q8 Consider the following sectors

1. Steel
2. Electricity
3. Cement
4. Crude Oil

How many of the sectors mentioned above constitute the Core Sectors of the Indian Economy?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four

Show solution

Solution: option D.)

Ans. 8 Option D is correct Explanation
• Eight Core Sectors comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
• The eight core sector industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilisers. Hence, all options are correct.

Q9. Which of the following statements best defines a tax haven?

A. A country that imposes high taxes on its citizens and foreign businesses.
B. A nation that enforces strict tax regulations to prevent tax evasion.
C. A nation that offers favorable tax rates and financial secrecy to attract foreign investors.
D. A country that cooperates fully with international tax authorities to combat tax fraud.

Ans. 9 Option C is correct Explanation
• A tax haven is typically a jurisdiction or country that provides favorable tax rates, exemptions, or financial secrecy laws. Hence, Option C is correct.
• This is done to attract foreign individuals and businesses seeking to minimize their tax liabilities.
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Q10. Consider the following statements with reference to By-polls

1. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions the procedure for conducting byelections.
2. They are typically held when a legislative seat becomes vacant before the regular election cycle.
3. In India, byelections are held only for Lok Sabha seats.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. Non

Show solution

Solution: option A.)

Ans. 10 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Bye-elections refer to elections held to fill vacant seats in the legislative bodies of India.
• Purpose: To ensure the timely filing of vacant seats, enabling the representation of the affected constituency or district in the legislative body. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Occurrence: When a seat in the legislature becomes vacant due to reasons such as Death, Resignation, Disqualification, and Expulsion of a sitting member
• The byelections are held for both Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 mandates the Election Commission to fill the casual vacancies
through bye-elections within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Provided that the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more.